EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ENERGY LEVELS OF COCOA HUSK-BASED DIETS ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS

Abstract

Cocoa husk-based diets were used to assess the effect of different energy levels on the growth performance, economics of production and dressing percentage of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in South Western Nigeria. The assessment period was at 4 to 7 weeks of age. Four isonitrogenous (22% crude protein) diets incorporating graded levels (0, 3, 5, 7.0 and 14%) of cocoa husk meal (CHM) as replacement for maize, were used in the trial which involved 360, 3-week-old quail chicks. The diets had the followjng corresponding ME levels, viz: Diet 1, 2800; Diet 2, 2700; Diet 3, 2600 and Diet 4, 2500 kcal/kg. Each dietary treatment was similar (P > 0.05) among the diets while feed intake was higher (P < 0.05) on Diet 4 than Diets 1 and 2. Caloric intake, feed conversion and calorific efficiency did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among the treatments. Though feed cost and feed price/100 kcal ME decreased numerically across treatment, feed cost/kg gain was similar (P > 0.05). Dressing percentage was not influenced (P > 0.05) by dietary energy levels. Results of this study indicated that dietary energy levels of 2500 to 2800kcal/kg ME of cocoa husk-based diets are suitable for overall acceptable productive performance of Japanese quails during 4 – 7 weeks of age in South Western Nigeria.